Join renowned naturalist Bob Bowles for an engaging outdoor workshop in Copeland Forest exploring the fascinating world of asters and goldenrods. As these iconic late-summer wildflowers reach their peak, participants will learn how to identify common species, discover their vital role in supporting pollinators, and gain insight into the ecology and natural history of one of Ontario's most diverse forest ecosystems.

This guided walk is perfect for nature enthusiasts, gardeners, photographers, and anyone interested in deepening their appreciation of native plants.

Mushrooms come in different sizes, shapes and colours, and they can appear overnight, covering lawns, meadows, woods, and wetlands.  Mushrooms grow on both living and dead matter, and they often form mutually beneficial relationships with other living flora.  Some are edible and others are not - learning the differences between the two is important!

In this workshop, participants will learn to identify mushrooms by examining spore colour, gill attachment, and growth substrate. We will learn to appreciate not only the incredible variety of early mushrooms, but also the ways in which mushrooms support and communicate within an interrelational, networking ecosystem.

The cost of the workshop is $60 plus HST per participant.

Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
Time: 10:00am - 1:00 pm
Location: Copeland Forest (Hillsdale, ON via Horseshoe Valley Road)

An Alvar is an important yet widely unknown ecosystem. It first appears as unproductive land or a rock barren but holds a unique, rare and stressed ecosystem that floods in spring and experiences drought by mid-summer. We have this rare phenomenon nearby in Carden with a diverse range of flora that can be studied.
Join Ontario Master Naturalist Program coordinator Bob Bowles for a morning hike on the Carden Alvar! Alvars are globally rare ecosystems and are recognized worldwide for being home to a large number of important plant and bird species. During the hike, Bob will point out some of these important species, including possibly Prairie Smoke and Field Chickweed. You’ll come away from this workshop with an increased understanding of the environmental significance of alvars, and the ability to ID some of the plant species commonly found in these habitats. You’ll also receive a workshop booklet to guide your engagement!